IMF's economic pressure on S. Korean authorities
Pyongyang, January 29 (KCNA) -- A consultative group of the International Monetary Fund is visiting South Korea to put economic pressure again on the South Korean authorities , a Seoul-based radio reported.
During its stay in South Korea from January 26 to February 6, it will reportedly make an intermediate investigation of how the bailout conditions are implemented and urge the South Korean authorities to implement them.
The South Korean authorities, placed under the IMF's trusteeship, are driving the economy deeper into ruin.
Party for Mongolian Minister of Foreign Relations
Pyongyang, January 29 (KCNA) -- The DPRK government hosted a party at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on January 28 for Mongolian guests on a visit to Korea.
Invited there were Minister of Foreign Relations of Mongolia Shukherin Altangerel and his entourage and Mongolian Ambassador to Korea D. Byambaa.
Present were Vice-Premier and Foreign Minister Kim Yong Nam and officials concerned.
Kim Yong Nam said in his toast that he rejoiced over the achievements made by the Mongolian people in the work for the prosperity of their country and that he sincerely hoped all things would go well in Mongolia.
Shukherin Altangerel said in his speech that he deemed it an honor to visit Korea in the year which marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
He hoped that the Korean people would make great achievements in their work in the New Year.
He stated that he would make every possible effort to develop relations between the two countries and peoples.
Second Kimjongilia Exhibition
Pyongyang, January 29 (KCNA) -- Preparations of the Second Kimjongilia Exhibition are being made in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
The exhibition will be held at the Pyongyang International House of Culture from February 13 to 17.
Kim In Gi, Secretary General of the DPRK Kimjongilia Federation, said that the second exhibition will be far larger in content and scale than the first exhibition, and many foreigners and overseas Koreans will participate in it.
The number of participants and flowers is expected to be 2.5 times and 4 times that in the first exhibition.
The second exhibition is to be held 10 years since Kimjongilia came into being.
Many organs, organizations and individuals are cultivating the flower even in winter in close cooperation with the federation.
The federation formed the preparatory committee of the exhibition and is going ahead with preparations.
The First Kimjongilia Exhibition was held in Pyongyang in February last year.
Kimjongilia won a special prize and a gold medal at the 12th International Flower Show held in 1991.
DPRK-Mongolia parliamentary talks
Pyongyang, January 29 (KCNA) -- Talks were held Wednesday at the Mansudae Assembly Hall between the delegations of the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) of the DPRK and the State Great Ikh Hural of Mongolia.
Both sides discussed further developing friendly and cooperative relations between the two parliaments and some matters of mutual concern.
Present at the talks were Kim Yong Ho, vice-chairman of the SPA foreign affairs committee and chairman of the parliamentary group for Korea-Mongolia friendship, and officials concerned and the Mongolian delegation led by Bat-Erdeniin Batbayar, a member of the State Great Ikh Hural and Chairman of the Mongolia-Korea Parliamentary Group.
1998 friendly meeting of DPRK and Japanese sportsmen
Pyongyang, January 29 (KCNA) -- The 1998 friendly meeting of DPRK and Japanese sportsmen held in Tokyo on January 23 laid stress on the need to invigorate sports exchange between the two nations.
Present there were O Hyong Jin and Kim Su Sik, Vice-Chairmen of the Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon), Paek Jong Won, Vice-Chairman of the National Olympic Committee of the DPRK and Chairman of the Federation of Korean Sportsmen in Japan, Yushiro Yagi, Managing Director of the National Olympic Committee of Japan, and other public figures and sports lovers.
The meeting was held in connection with the participation of the DPRK sports team in the Nagano Winter Olympic Games.
Foreign exchange crisis caused by wrong economic policy in S. Korea
Pyongyang, January 29 (KCNA) -- The "Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation" of South Korea January 26 said that the present serious foreign exchange crisis is ascribable to the wrong economic policy of the Kim Young Sam regime.
It noted that South Korea's foreign debts, which had amounted to 42.8 billion dollars at the time of the inauguration of the present regime, ran into more than a hundred billion dollars at the end of last year, thus causing the danger of "state dishonoring."
It further said:
Economic confusion has been worsened as a whole and the current payment deficit has steadily increased since the Kim Young Sam regime brought forward the "100-day plan for new economy" in 1993.
As a result, foreign debts have snowballed.
In the final analysis, the wrong economic policy adopted in the early days of the regime is the root cause of the present foreign debts and exchange crisis.
Intellectuals make breakthrough for advance
Pyongyang, January 29 (KCNA) -- Intellectuals of Korea are now creditably discharging their mission and duty as forerunners defending socialism with science and technology.
In recent years they registered enormous achievements in making an effective use of the existing economic foundations and boosting the main sectors of the economy.
Railway scientists solved such scientific problems as preventing damage of bogie frame, prolonging the service life of wheel, introducing new damping device and preventing adhesion motor insulator from being injured.
Those of power and mining sectors solved on a high level scientific and technical problems arising in the construction of minor power stations across the country, and in their operation. And they are popularizing the experience of Jagang Province.
They also found out and introduced new methods for mineral production and crush and earth-scraping at mines.
And they settled over 70 scientific and technical problems to accelerate the commissioning of the high-quality magnesia clinker factory.
In the agricultural domain many practical problems have been solved such as high-yield varieties of crops and their cultivation, creation of grass fields and breeding of grass-eating animals.
In addition, intellectuals made a large number of valuable inventions popular among the world's scientists.
All the DPRK's ten inventions won medals including two gold medals and two gold-silver medals at the 25th Geneva international inventions, new technologies and products salon last year. Among them are "highly sensitive magnetometre based on the moderation effect of magnetic negative resistance", "motor protector from the abnormal power supply" and "menthol absorbent for cigarettes".
The Korean intellectuals are now devoting all their energy and wisdom to scientific research for national prosperity and development, regarding it as their faith that they have the socialist homeland though there is no border in science.
Algerian leaders voice support for Koreans' cause of national reunification
Pyongyang, January 29 (KCNA) -- Algerian President Liamine Zeroual and Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia expressed full support for the Korean people's cause of national reunification when they met separately with the DPRK Ambassador to Algeria who paid a farewell call on them.
The Algerian President stated that the Algerian government and people have always supported the proposals of the DPRK government for the peaceful reunification of Korea.
The Algerian Prime Minister said that he would support the efforts of the Korean people for the country's reunification at all times.
The stand of Algeria to join hands and cooperate with the Korean people is always invariable, he stressed.
Relics on Moran Hill
Pyongyang, January 29 (KCNA) -- Moran Hill, known as a scenic spot since olden times, is situated in the heart of Pyongyang.
The hill which blends in perfectly with the beautiful environment of the river Taedong is rich in historical relics, associated with talents and wisdom of the Korean ancestors.
There is the Ulmil Pavilion standing in the shape of a flying crane, erected on the stone elevation.
In spring our ancestors spent pleasant time there, feasting their eyes on the beauty of the surrounding scenery. When the enemy invaded Pyongyang, they built a battery there to defend it.
The Pubyok Pavilion which stands halfway up Chongryu Cliff on the bank of river Taedong served as a command post in time of war and was used as a site from which to enjoy the scenic beauty of Moran Hill and River Taedong for its elaborate art of architecture and superb scenic beauty.
The pavilion on the wall built a thousand years ago is one of the pavilions conspicuous and typical in Korea.
There is Chilsong Gate, one-storey pavilion on Moran Hill. It was erected as the northern gate of the inner fort.
When the enemy invaded Pyongyang, the soldiers and people in the walled city defeated it, relying on it.
The Choesung Pavilion stands on the summit of Moran Hill.
It is an excellent place commanding a fine view of Pyongyang in all directions.
There is the Hyonmu Gate built on the stone elevation connecting the Choesung Pavilion with the Ulmil Pavilion.
The Jongum Gate, from which Moran Hill is seen at the right and River Taedong at the left, is a precious structure of the northern fort of Pyongyang, along with the Hyonmu Gate.
The Chongryu Pavilion is situated on Chongryu Cliff adding the scenic beauty of Moran Hill and River Taedong.
The relics on Moran Hill have been restored to their original state in accordance with the policy of the Workers' Party of Korea that calls for carefully preserving the historical sites. Moran Hill has turned into a flawless pleasure ground.
Pothong Gate, legacy of national architecture
Pyongyang, January 29 (KCNA) -- Korea has many architectural legacies of long history. Among them is Pothong Gate located on the Pothong River.
The gate is at the cross of Chollima, Changgwang, Mansudae and Pothong riverside streets in the capital city of Pyongyang.
Standing near the gate are the Mansudae Assembly Hall, the Grand People's Study House, the Mansudae Art Theatre, the People's Palace of Culture, Pyongyang Indoor Stadium and other monumental edifices.
Pothong gate is one of the oldest gates which still remain in Korea. It was built in the western part of the walled city of Pyongyang, the capital of Koguryo, in mid-6th century.
The two-storied gate has a granite-stone gateway.
In the middle of the gateway are a rainbow-shaped arch, 4.4 metres wide and 4.55 metres high, and an iron-coated wooden gate.
In 1592 when the Imjin Patriotic War was going on, ancestors dashed through this gate to give an annihilating strike at the aggressors in a battle to liberate Pyongyang.
This edifice still demonstrates its time-honored history under the Workers' Party of Korea's policy of preserving legacies of national culture.
Vice-President Ri Jong Ok meets Mongolian guests
Pyongyang, January 29 (KCNA) -- Vice-President Ri Jong Ok met with Minister of Foreign Relations of Mongolia Shukherin Altangerel and his entourage at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today.
Chon Jae Hong, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, and D. Byambaa, Mongolian Ambassador to Korea, were present.
The Minister of Foreign Relations of Mongolia said that 1998 is a significant year which marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Mongolia and Korea, and he will do his best to develop the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries.
He wished the Korean people great achievements in their efforts for the prosperity of the country and national reunification.
5th meeting of 17th Central Committee of Chongryon held
Pyongyang, January 29 (KCNA) -- The 5th meeting of the 17th Central Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) was held in Tokyo on January 26.
Chairman of the Central Standing Committee of Chongryon Han Tok Su delivered an address at the meeting.
It discussed the first agenda item "on greeting the 18th Congress of Chongryon with brilliant achievements by strengthening Chongryon and vigorously conducting patriotic movement involving all compatriots in this historic year."
In his report on the first agenda item, Chief Vice-Chairman of the Chongryon Central Standing Committee Ho Jong Man said that the 18th Congress of Chongryon would be a glorious and historic one which would be held for the first time after the respected General Kim Jong Il was elected General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea.
This year, the Chongryon officials and compatriots should make an epochal turn and fresh progress in their patriotic movement in step with the forced march of the people in the homeland for the final victory, he added.
The meeting discussed the second agenda item "On convening the 18th Congress of Chongryon."
The Congress will be held in Tokyo on May 22 and 23, Juche 87 (1998).